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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0798.012 2004-200610/31/06 } Bill 4 24D5 OCA 31 flCl 9 �t Changes "humane" to "enforcement" officer; how much empowerment is this and how is accountability to be held? Existing lack of accountability in shelter. Bill 258 Article 1; Is a reiteration of Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 711-1109, as such only confuses the addressed issue of animal nuisance. Does not address the problem of feral cats; beside impacting indigenous, endemic, endangered birds, impacts the aina with toxoplasmosis (congenital infection in human possible). Barking dog problem, regarding proof, unrealistic and prevents enforcement. Halyna Kuheana, P.O.Box 968, Kurtistown, HI 96760, 968-8700 Comm. No. %7q $ • 12 Ref. uat: Uat Ref. e II��TT Feral Cats: Too Long a Threat to Hawaiian Wildlife Background Domestic cats (Felis catus) were first brought to Hawaii aboard sailing ships of European explorers and colonists. The job of these predators was to control mice and rats on the ships during the long voyages. As in other places, cats were taken in and adopted by the families of Hawaii and soon became house- hold pets known as popoki. But cats have always been very well equipped to live and hunt on their own. On tropical archipelagos like the Hawaiian Islands where no other predatory mammals of comparable size existed, abundant and naive prey were particu- larly easy game, and cats soon thrived in the wild. Although the details of when cats first came to live in the wild remain little known, adventurers, writers, and naturalists of the day recorded some important observations. Feral cats were observed in remote wilderness around Kilauea volcano on Hawaii Island as early as 1840 by explorer William Brack- enridge. Mark Twain was so impressed by the great abundance of cats when he visited Honolulu in 1866 that he reported his observations in the Sacramento Union newspaper, which were later reprinted in his book Roughing It: I saw... tame cats, wildcats, singed cats, individual cats, groups of cats, platoons ofcats, companies ofcats, regiments ofcats, armies ofcats, multitudes ofcats, millions ofcats... Cats Prey on Native Birds in a Variety of Habitats Cats were also common in remote and isolated communities, as noted by the famous traveler, Isabella Bird, during her visit to Waimanu Valley on Hawaii Island in 1873. By that time, a dis- turbing but little known phenomenon was beginning to happen to the unique birds of Hawai' i. At least 30 species or subspecies U.S. Department cd the Interior U.S.Gentu0icel Survey This feral cat was photographed by a remote camera in Hawaii Volca- noes National Park Isee page 3). of endemic forest birds were either greatly reduced in number or became extinct between 1870 and 1930. One of the earli- est naturalists to implicate feral cats as a causal factor in these losses was R.C.L. Perkins, who wrote in 1903: On Lanai, in walking up a single ravine, I counted the re- mains of no less than twenty-two native birds killed by cats, and these must all have been destroyed within two days, as previously the whole gulch had been washed out by a heavy flood 7fvo cats were actually shot on this occasion as they were devouring their prey, and several others seen, but, owing to the fact that they are extremely shy and mostly nocturnal in habits, few people who have not lived much in the woods have any idea of their numbers. In Hawaii today, cats range from relatively high densi- ties near sea level where abandoned pets are frequently fed by well-meaning animal -lovers, to sparse isolated populations in remote rain forests and even alpine areas on the islands of Maui and Hawaii. Cats kill songbirds, which nest, feed, and roost in trees, and ground nesting birds, such as quail and other intro- duced game birds. Native sea birds and other species that nest on the ground or in burrows are particularly vulnerable to preda- tion by cats. For example, endangered 'ua'u (Hawaiian Petrel; Pterodroma sandwichensis) are particularly vulnerable because they raise their single chicks in lava crevices and nestlings can- not fly for more than 15 weeks after hatching. Adult 'ua `u are also often killed by cats, causing serious population declines 6nrauce it tmkec each bird five to six vears to reach Lea "ua u are rare ano enuengereu lung-nveu seabirds that feed an fish and squid offshore but nest in lava crevices at high elevation on volcanoes. (Photo by W. Banko) Right. This adult 'ua'uwas killed by a cat high on the slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (Photo by f. R. Warshauer, USGS) ® Printed an recycled paper USGS FS 2a06.i006 January 2006 The death of adults has very severe consequences for populations of long-lived birds, because their reproductive rates are low and parental investment in raising young is high. I Photo by J. Jeffrey) maturity, Even birds that nest and feed in wetlands are killed by cats, demonstrating that no bird in any habitat is safe from these stealthy, wide-ranging, introduced predators. Cats Carry and Transmit Diseases to Other Wildlife pese female'V areitla'). auga oaskilleyb ys 1Phoro6VKameec thair elane n /ygy„aa. phi/g sittin i&/017 marks d canoe 8 on her feral cats ? NP,S) and tracks a o io al est t a ka u t 1 me rem, -at kills Not only do cats prey on vulnerable endangered birds, but they also cavy diseases that may infect endangered birds and other wildlife. Cats are the definitive host of a potentially fatal disease called toxoplasmosis. In Hawai'i, toxoplasmosis has killed native Hawaiian birds such as the critically endangered 'alala (Corvus hawaiiensis), the endangered neni (Hawaiian goose; Branta sandvicensis), and even seabirds such as the red -footed booby (Sula sula). Because the protozoan organism that causes toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) can complete an important part of its life cycle in seawater, this disease also poses a threat to marine mammals. Fatal toxoplasmosis was recently confirmed in an endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Mo- nachus schauinslandi), and may possibly threaten other marine mammals in Hawai'i such as the spinner dolphin (Stenella lon- girostris). In addition to threatening wildlife, toxoplasmosis is zoonotic and poses a significant health risk to pregnant women. Feral cats are also known to carry bacteria that have killed pueo (Hawaiian Short -eared Owls; Asiojlammeus sandwichensis) and 'alala. USGS Studies Ecology of Feral Cats in Subalpine Hawaii Island Feral cats now live throughout the dry subalpine and alpine shmblands of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii. Being completely isolated from human settlements, these cats live entirely off the land under extreme conditions, enduring freezing temperatures, battling lethal diseases, and relying entirely on hunting wildlife. Although feral cats exist in small numbers in these rugged ecosystems, they can be very damaging to endangered birds, such as the palila (Loxioides bailleui) and the 'ua'u. Understanding how feral cats live, move, and feed will allow us to formulate better strategies to protect endangered birds. The USGS has been investigating using varous oo s m- s. eluding remote cameras and telemetry. Remote Cameras Capture Images of Feral Cats Surveillance cameras installed at nests of the palila revealed that cats reduce palila nest success. Cats mainly kill palila chicks, although adult females may be killed while sitting on the nest. Cat kills at nests not being monitored by cameras are identified by hair, claw marks, and tracks around the nest. Up to I I% of palila nests are depredated by feral cats each year. These losses may threaten the survival of the species, which lays few eggs each year and takes a long time to develop to adulthood. In contrast, mainland songbirds have much larger clutches and raise nestlings much more quickly, decreasing Feral cats are difficultto study because of their nocturnal habits and wariness of people. Infrared -triggered cameras are used to determine the presence of cats in the vicinity of endangered birds. Paide chicks are highly vulnerable to predators because their nestling development period is approximately twice as long as that of continen- tal songbirds. In order to track the movements of feral cats in endangered paldaterri- tory, cats were trapped and fitted with radio collars before release back to the wild. their exposure to predators dramatically. In addition, many Hawaiian birds exhibit little fear of potential predators and often lack avoidance behaviors. Telemetry Radio transmitters were attached to a sample of cats captured on Mauna Kea in order to describe their home ranges, move - meats and activity patterns. On Mauna Kea, some male cats can range up to 20 km2 (8 mi') and this rivals the largest reported home range for a feral cat from anywhere in the world. In contrast, the home ranges of three females averaged less than 8 km' (3 min). The significance of these large home ranges and daily movements is that cats coyeted etedeao�Geobevom� threaten ae NasatdbV a °ac ateeolt nesting birds jhrs Pslitee0 �t\off\� dao9 s b �s eb from great distances. In ob�cKs data addition, several cats may hunt ba o optt+°p°Q in the same area, exposing birds to threats from a host of different cats over a short period of time. In the case of palila occupying only about 140 km' (54 mil), the home range of each male cat represents more than 10% of this area. Cats are most active at night, when birds have settled on their nests and are particularly vulnerable. Stomach contents from feral cats captured at two sites were examined in order to characterize the diet of these introduced predators (Figure 1). Feral cats on Mauna Kea subsist to a great extent on invertebrates and birds, including both songbirds The home ranges of a male lorange) and a female (blue) feral cat within the critical habitat of the endangered palila (red lines) on the West Slope of Mauna Kea. The home range of the male was 20.1 km', and the home range of the female was 6.1 km'. Smaller shapes inside the home ranges are areas that the cats used more intensively. Brochure on cat health, toxoplasmosis: Cornell Feline Health center Search Veterinary Medicine Home Videos Health Information Membership Memorials How to Products Annual Report Camuti Consultation Service Search: � F[,UNE tl��jy ' z TM Toxoplasmosis in Cats rage I of :5 Search Cornell i Toxoplasmosis, a disease of cats and other mammalian species, is caused by a parasitic protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. Protozoa are single -celled organisms that are among the simplest creatures in the animal kingdom. Although infection with Toxoplasma is fairly common, actual disease caused by the parasite is relatively rare. The Life Cycle of Toxoplasma Cats, domestic and wild, are the definitive host (host in which the adult, or sexually mature stage, of the parasite is produced) and are the parasite's primary reservoir of infection. Domestic cats are important in transmission of Toxoplasma to other animals and human beings, which become involved only as intermediate hosts of the parasite. Consumption of raw meat tissues is another important means of transmission. Cats acquire Toxoplasma infection by eating any of the three infective stages of the parasite: cyst, oocyst, or tachyzoite. Following ingestion of cysts in infected prey (rodents or birds), the intraintestinal infection cycle begins. This cycle occurs only in members of the cat family. The organisms multiply in the wall of the small intestine and produce oocysts, which are then excreted in great numbers in the feces for two to three weeks. Within five days the shed oocysts may sporulate, becoming infectious to other animals and to humans. Sporulated oocysts are highly resistant to environmental conditions and can survive in moist shaded soil or sand for many months. During the intraintestinal infection cycle in the cat, some Toxoplasma organisms released from the ingested cysts penetrate more deeply into the wall of the intestine and multiply as tachyzoite forms. Very soon these forms spread out from the intestine to other body sites, starting the extraintestinal infection cycle. Eventually the cat's immune system restrains this stage of the organism, which then enters a dormant or "resting" stage by forming cysts in muscles and brain. Most cysts probably remain dormant for the life of the host. The extraintestinal infection cycle occurs not only in cats but also in the intermediate hosts (including humans). Most healthy exposed cats shed oocysts during acute infection with Toxoplasma, but will not shed them after the acute infection. Even in those few cats that do re -excrete oocysts after another exposure to Toxoplasma, the number of oocysts shed is smaller and may even be insufficient to transmit the parasite effectively. Ingestion of tissue cysts in infected prey or in other raw meat is probably the most common route by which cats are exposed to Toxoplasma. Congenital infection (transmission from mother to fetus) occurs in sheep, goats, and humans, but is much less common in cats. Return to Top http://www.vet.comell.edu/fhc/brochures/toxo.htm) 10/21/2006 Brochure on cat health, toxoplasmosis: Cornell teime ttealtn (-enter rage / ur Signs Most cats show no clinical signs of infection with Toxoplasma. Occasionally, however, clinical disease— toxoplasmosis—occurs, kittens and young adult cats being more often affected than older animals. Lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, and fever are typical early nonspecific signs. Pneumonia, manifested by respiratory distress of gradually increasing severity, is the outstanding sign in many cats. Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) may cause vomiting, diarrhea, prostration, and jaundice (yellowing of the mucous membranes). Inflammation of the pancreas and enlargement of lymph nodes also occur. Toxoplasmosis can also affect the eyes and central nervous system, producing inflammation of the retina or anterior ocular chamber, abnormal pupil size and responsiveness to light, blindness, incoordination, heightened sensitivity to touch, personality changes, circling, head pressing, twitching of the ears, difficulty in chewing and swallowing food, seizures, and loss of control over urination and defecation. In some cases, coinfection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may predispose a cat to develop toxoplasmosis. Diagnosis Toxoplasmosis may be strongly suspected by the history, signs of illness, and the results of supportive laboratory tests. A presumptive diagnosis may be made by demonstration of a fourfold or greater increase in antibody titers to Toxoplasma (indicating a recent infection) over a three- or four-week period in a cat showing signs suggestive of toxoplasmosis. A definitive diagnosis requires either microscopic examination of tissues or tissue impression smears for distinctive pathologic changes and the presence of tachyzoites or inoculation of suspect material into laboratory mice. The presence of significant antibody levels in a healthy cat suggests that the cat has been previously infected and now is most likely immune and not excreting oocysts. The absence of antibody in a healthy cat suggests that the cat is susceptible to infection and thus would shed oocysts for one to two weeks following exposure. Treatment and Prevention The two drugs that are most often used—pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine—act together to inhibit Toxoplasma reproduction. Treatment must be started as soon as possible after diagnosis and continued for several days after signs have disappeared. In acute illness, treatment is sometimes started on the basis of a high antibody titer in the first test. If clinical improvement is not seen within two to three days, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis should be questioned. Pyrimethamine may be unpalatable or toxic to some cats, even if given in small amounts. Recently, the antibiotic clindamycin has been reported to be effective in treating feline toxoplasmosis, with few side- effects observed. No vaccine is as yet available to prevent either Toxoplasma infection or toxoplasmosis in cats, humans, or other species. Research in this area is in progress. Return to Top Toxoplasma and Human Health Although the incidence of toxoplasmosis among humans probably has not changed significantly over the years, awareness and concern about the disease have increased within the medical and veterinary communities. It has been estimated that 30 to 50 percent of the world's human population has been infected with Toxoplasma and harbors the clinically inapparent cyst form. This encysted form is important He<m.<n ;f nnrcn kL.n nnnnrMn nin. if ran n.n.lrn Ai<nxo :n im r.+u nnnnm nrnm.<uri neFinnl< Gnr rni< rnxnn http://www.vet.comell.ecWthe/brochures/toxo.html 10/21/2006 Brochure on cat health, toxoplasmosis: Cornell reline Health Center rage s or 3 uccauac, a yw cu u�c vNNu, wn��y, �� umi vluuua.c wacaac n, n..... n,Nwnuacu F,oa,cnw. I v, uua ,caavu veterinarians are often called on to clarify the role that cats play in the transmission of Toxoplasma to humans. Contact with oocyst -contaminated soil is probably the major means by which many different species— rodents, ground -feeding birds, sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle, as well as humans living in developing countries—are exposed to Toxoplasma. In the industrialized nations most transmission to humans is probably due to eating undercooked infected meat, particularly Iamb and pork (in many areas of the world, approximately 10 percent of Iamb and 25 percent of pork products contain Toxoplasma cysts). The organism may also on occasion be present in some unpasteurized dairy products, such as goat's milk. Congenital infection is of greatest concern in humans. About one-third to one-half of human infants born to mothers who have acquired Toxoplasma during that pregnancy are infected. In general, Toxoplasma infection of the fetus is least common (but disease is most severe) if the maternal infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. Fetal infection is most common (but disease is least severe, often without symptoms) if the maternal infection occurs during the third trimester. The vast majority of women infected during pregnancy have no symptoms of the infection themselves. It has been estimated that Toxoplasma is responsible for over three thousand human congenital infections in the United States each year, most of which are symptomless. Among symptomatic individuals, symptoms may be present at birth, or may first appear weeks, months, or even years later (the majority of clinical cases appearing at puberty, for example, are the result of congenital, rather than recent, infection). Ocular and central -nervous -system disturbances, deafness, fever, jaundice, rash, and respiratory disease, in varying combinations, are among the more common clinical manifestations in these patients. In immunocompromised persons—those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., for cancer or organ transplantation) or those with an immunosuppressive disease such as AIDS—enlargement of the lymph nodes, ocular and central nervous -system disturbances, respiratory disease, and heart disease are among the more characteristic symptoms. In these patients—especially those with AIDS— relapses of the disease are common, and the mortality rate is high. Return to Top Minimizing Exposure Tissue cysts can be destroyed by thoroughly cooking meat to an internal temperature of 70°C (158aF) for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Freezing and thawing, salting, smoking, or pickling will not reliably destroy cysts in meat. Restricting the access of pet cats to rodents and birds and offering them only cooked meat, commercially prepared cat food, and pasteurized dairy products should prevent most transmission. (Nor should humans eat uncooked meat or unpasteurized dairy products.) Scavenging can be discouraged by placing secure lids on all garbage cans. Because excreted oocysts are highly resistant to environmental conditions and millions may be present in a single stool, contamination of garden soil, flower beds, children's sandboxes, cats' litter boxes, and other areas of loose, moist soil where cats defecate may be extensive. Under such conditions transmission of oocyts to humans can be minimized by the following measures: • Avoid contact with potentially contaminated soil, or wear rubber gloves during contact, and follow by washing hands vigorously and thoroughly with soap and water. • Cover children's sandboxes to prevent contamination by cats. • Dispose of feces from litter boxes daily or every other day to remove oocysts before they sporulate http://www.vet,comell.edu/fhclbrochures/toxo.htmi 10/21/2006 Brochure on cat health, toxoplasmosis: Cornell Feline Health Center Yage 4 of and become infective. • Disinfect potentially contaminated litter boxes with scalding water or with dry -heat sterilization (55° C, 131°F). • Chemical disinfection does not reliably destroy oocysts. Return to Top Specific Recommendations for Pregnant Women A pregnant woman (or one who contemplates pregnancy) can minimize exposure to Toxoplasma by taking the following measures: • Exclude rare or undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products from the diet. Test household cats for antibodies to Toxoplasma. Assuming that a cat is healthy, a positive antibody test indicates that the animal is most probably immune and not excreting oocysts and thus would be an unlikely source of infection. A healthy antibody -negative cat is most probably susceptible to infection and would shed oocysts for one to two weeks after exposure to Toxoplasma. If possible, the cat should be tested before the woman becomes pregnant. • Have herself tested for antibodies, preferably before becoming pregnant. A positive test would indicate past infection that will not be transmitted to the fetus. The presence of antibodies also lessens the likelihood that congenital transmission would occur should she be exposed again to the parasite during pregnancy. An antibody -negative woman would thus be at greater risk of transmitting Toxoplasma to the fetus should she become infected during pregnancy. • Protect cats from infection (or reinfection) by preventing access to birds, rodents, uncooked meat, and unpasteurized dairy products. • Avoid handling litter boxes. Even if a cat is antibody-positive and hence most likely immune, there exists a potential for reshedding of oocysts (although in much smaller numbers than during the initial infection). For safety, litter boxes should be changed daily or every other day by another person to eliminate any potential for accidental infection. • Avoid handling free -roaming cats, because the fur or paws could be contaminated with oocysts, which might be transmitted by hand-to-mouth contact. Any cat allowed indoors should be kept off the bed, pillows, blankets, or other furnishings the woman uses. • Avoid handling any cat showing signs of illness. • Wear rubber gloves if working with garden soil. Uncooked vegetables, whether grown in a home garden or supplied commercially, should be washed thoroughly before ingestion, in case they have been contaminated by cat feces. • Make a habit of vigorously and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after contact with soil, cats, unpasteurized dairy products, or uncooked meat or vegetables. Return to Top http://www.vet.comell.edu/thc/brochures/toxo.btmi 10/21/2006 Brochure on cat health, toxoplasmosis: coinell Feline Health center rage 3 or 3 • a • . This brochure was prepared by the A(jl_e(_ICan A9AOCi gn_4f_FeIiIIP_ry4iLtj4ners and the Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401. rhe center is committed to improving the health of cats b developing methods to prevent or cure feline diseases and by providing continuing education to veterinarians and cat owners. Much of that work is made possible by the financial support of friends. ©2002 by Cornell University. All rights reserved. Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer. Nome f44aw to Reach Us I How You Can Help l Links report a problem with this page to ebmaste http://www.vet.cometi.ed&flic/brochures/toxo.html 10/21/2006